SPORTS WAGERS
MISSISSIPPI -5 over Florida
This is a huge, huge game that has enormous tournament implications. Florida and Ole Miss are both right on the bubble and today’s game could very well be the game that either seals or defeats either of these two squads bids. The Gators bounced back against Auburn on Thursday to stop a two-game losing streak that potentially put them in serious danger of sliding off the bubble. More worrisome for the Gators, however, is that they couldn’t stay close to Xavier at home and blew a 10-point halftime lead to South Carolina with their tournament lives on the line. That’s very troubling and tells me Florida is playing tight at the worst possible time. Mississippi absolutely needs to win this game to keep its ever so slight tournament hopes alive. They have lost four of its last five games, including losses to SEC powers Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Today’s showdown is the proverbial “Last Stand” and they have a very good shot to survive. Florida can’t shoot the three-ball with any success (30.9%) and that’s huge because the Rebels defense only allows opponents to shoot 33.2% on three’s. Florida will have to score inside the arc against a Mississippi defense that allows 45% shooting and that means the Gators will labor for points. With massive pressure on both these teams to come out with a win I’ll back the home team that is sure to play inspired basketball. Its defense will frustrate the Gators and ultimately send them to the NIT. Play: #520 Mississippi –5 (Risking 2 units).
Missouri –4½ over NEBRASKA
How many times have I written about this Missouri team and the constant disrespect it gets by the books and public? Joe Lunardi, ESPN’s college basketball “expert” doesn’t feel this team is a lock for the tournament and that may very well be the saddest/funniest line that’s come out of Bristol in a while. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: This Tiger’s team has a chance to go to the final four with the right tournament draw. Nebraska is a pathetic 1-10 in Big-12 conference play and has lost five in a row coming into today’s game. They rank last in the Big 12 in offensive efficiency and 4th from the bottom in defensive efficiency while shooting a terrible 46.3% from inside the arc. They don’t have a single NBA prospect and considering they play in a major conference it’s a major problem. Missouri is just miles ahead statistically and talent wise over this Nebraska team and the only thing keeping this number from being -8 or -9 is the home court. I won’t let that deter me from making the play on the better team. If you believe the media than Missouri needs all the wins it can get and that works to our advantage. The Tigers are simply too talented to not pull away from this feeble opponent. Play: #583 Missouri -4.5 (Risking 2.16 units to win 2).
MISSISSIPPI -5 over Florida
This is a huge, huge game that has enormous tournament implications. Florida and Ole Miss are both right on the bubble and today’s game could very well be the game that either seals or defeats either of these two squads bids. The Gators bounced back against Auburn on Thursday to stop a two-game losing streak that potentially put them in serious danger of sliding off the bubble. More worrisome for the Gators, however, is that they couldn’t stay close to Xavier at home and blew a 10-point halftime lead to South Carolina with their tournament lives on the line. That’s very troubling and tells me Florida is playing tight at the worst possible time. Mississippi absolutely needs to win this game to keep its ever so slight tournament hopes alive. They have lost four of its last five games, including losses to SEC powers Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Today’s showdown is the proverbial “Last Stand” and they have a very good shot to survive. Florida can’t shoot the three-ball with any success (30.9%) and that’s huge because the Rebels defense only allows opponents to shoot 33.2% on three’s. Florida will have to score inside the arc against a Mississippi defense that allows 45% shooting and that means the Gators will labor for points. With massive pressure on both these teams to come out with a win I’ll back the home team that is sure to play inspired basketball. Its defense will frustrate the Gators and ultimately send them to the NIT. Play: #520 Mississippi –5 (Risking 2 units).
Missouri –4½ over NEBRASKA
How many times have I written about this Missouri team and the constant disrespect it gets by the books and public? Joe Lunardi, ESPN’s college basketball “expert” doesn’t feel this team is a lock for the tournament and that may very well be the saddest/funniest line that’s come out of Bristol in a while. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: This Tiger’s team has a chance to go to the final four with the right tournament draw. Nebraska is a pathetic 1-10 in Big-12 conference play and has lost five in a row coming into today’s game. They rank last in the Big 12 in offensive efficiency and 4th from the bottom in defensive efficiency while shooting a terrible 46.3% from inside the arc. They don’t have a single NBA prospect and considering they play in a major conference it’s a major problem. Missouri is just miles ahead statistically and talent wise over this Nebraska team and the only thing keeping this number from being -8 or -9 is the home court. I won’t let that deter me from making the play on the better team. If you believe the media than Missouri needs all the wins it can get and that works to our advantage. The Tigers are simply too talented to not pull away from this feeble opponent. Play: #583 Missouri -4.5 (Risking 2.16 units to win 2).
OffshoreInsiders.com Senior Handicapper Matt Rivers has Florida plus the points. They are getting five-points at Mississippi.
We're obviously not looking at a Florida team that still boasts Horford, Noah, Brewer, Humphrey and players like that but Billy Donovan does have a capable team and one that can without a doubt compete today in Oxford.
The Gators are 18-8 and really never seem to be out of a game. Granted Florida is not an explosive squad that just pummels inferior opponents but they also rarely ever get fully outclassed and embarassed.
Chris Warren is super talented and the Rebels at times have looked very good this season. Andy Kennedy's team started the season out in fine form but things have not been nearly as good of late. These guys have now dropped three of four after the home loss to Vanderbilt and the lone win, which was against Alabama, saw the Rebs fall behind by a whopping 20 points at the half. The second half was great but this team is just not playing very good ball and certainly not consistent winning type basketball.
Donovan's boys have eight losses on the season. Two have been by one point, one has been by three points and one has been by six points. My point is that these guys play close games and the Rebels right now are not a team that should just blow them out.
Ole Miss can win this game as they are a fairly skilled club with Warren, Polynice, White and a few others but they also can lose this game. It's really not that far from a 50-50 proposition in terms of just the win. Getting five or so with the visitors is almost like snatching up some free points.
Florida did have that very subpar effort a few games ago at home against Xavier but I'm not taking all that much from that one game. That was the Gators' one egg. Every team shrivels up like that at some point in a long season. The Musketeers are pretty good but, no doubt, that effort by Florida was awful.
Mississippi just needs a win right now. To ask them to win by more than a handful seems like a bit much.
We're obviously not looking at a Florida team that still boasts Horford, Noah, Brewer, Humphrey and players like that but Billy Donovan does have a capable team and one that can without a doubt compete today in Oxford.
The Gators are 18-8 and really never seem to be out of a game. Granted Florida is not an explosive squad that just pummels inferior opponents but they also rarely ever get fully outclassed and embarassed.
Chris Warren is super talented and the Rebels at times have looked very good this season. Andy Kennedy's team started the season out in fine form but things have not been nearly as good of late. These guys have now dropped three of four after the home loss to Vanderbilt and the lone win, which was against Alabama, saw the Rebs fall behind by a whopping 20 points at the half. The second half was great but this team is just not playing very good ball and certainly not consistent winning type basketball.
Donovan's boys have eight losses on the season. Two have been by one point, one has been by three points and one has been by six points. My point is that these guys play close games and the Rebels right now are not a team that should just blow them out.
Ole Miss can win this game as they are a fairly skilled club with Warren, Polynice, White and a few others but they also can lose this game. It's really not that far from a 50-50 proposition in terms of just the win. Getting five or so with the visitors is almost like snatching up some free points.
Florida did have that very subpar effort a few games ago at home against Xavier but I'm not taking all that much from that one game. That was the Gators' one egg. Every team shrivels up like that at some point in a long season. The Musketeers are pretty good but, no doubt, that effort by Florida was awful.
Mississippi just needs a win right now. To ask them to win by more than a handful seems like a bit much.
Johnny Guild
Saturday, February 20th, 2010 8:30 PM EST.
Charlotte Bobcats (27-26) at Milwaukee Bucks (25-28)
Look for the Bucks to play tough on their home court. Milwaukee has won seven of its last nine home games and nine of the last ten versus Charlotte at Bradley Center. Take the Bucks! The home team in this series has covered the spread in the last 5 clashes. The Rockets are a nasty 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games.
Milwaukee Bucks -2.5
Saturday, February 20th, 2010 (Eastern Time)
Time Selections
12:00 PM South Florida Bulls -5.5
2:00 PM Texas Tech Red Raiders +6.5
3:30 PM New Mexico Lobos -22
Saturday, February 20th, 2010 8:30 PM EST.
Charlotte Bobcats (27-26) at Milwaukee Bucks (25-28)
Look for the Bucks to play tough on their home court. Milwaukee has won seven of its last nine home games and nine of the last ten versus Charlotte at Bradley Center. Take the Bucks! The home team in this series has covered the spread in the last 5 clashes. The Rockets are a nasty 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games.
Milwaukee Bucks -2.5
Saturday, February 20th, 2010 (Eastern Time)
Time Selections
12:00 PM South Florida Bulls -5.5
2:00 PM Texas Tech Red Raiders +6.5
3:30 PM New Mexico Lobos -22
